Friday, January 11, 2013

However, a previous blog by Joe Romm should be kept in mind when considering the significance of the 2012 record. In 2010, Romm provided an answer to skeptics who point out that 1934 was the warmest year in the U. S. historical record: “1934 is the hottest year on record in the USA which only comprises 2% of the globe.”

Yes, that’s right, the United States comprises an insignificant 2% of the world’s surface area when we’re talking about the American heat wave in 1934, but it’s a highly significant 2% when we’re talking about last year’s high temperatures.

“When we consider the effects of climate change, we expect also that there will be a cost especially in poor countries, but it sums up to no great critical issue for the world. It is more important to get the poor countries to develop. I’m a little worried that “environmental thinking” leads to more important issues being ignored.”

Human health is likely to suffer as a result of warmer temperatures, according to the assessment. Studies show that a 1.8 degree Fahrenheit rise in temperature could boost the number of premature deaths by 1,000 annually because of worse smog and fine particle pollution. By 2050, the report notes, there could be an additional 4,300 premature deaths per year, costing $6.5 billion nationwide.